Airlines and safety chiefs battle it out over volcanic ash closures

Two of Britain's leading airlines blasted the decision of air traffic controllers to ground flights across large parts of England following the return of the Icelandic ash cloud from the erupting Eyjafjallajokull volcano.

But aviation chiefs put up a vehement defence of their policy, saying the unique circumstances of the Icelandic eruption and the congested nature of British airspace meant they had little choice but to put safety first.

After the last airspace closures cost European airlines more than 1bn in lost revenue, industry leaders have repeatedly criticised the approach taken by the authorities.

British Airways said yesterday it believed airlines themselves should take the decision whether or not it was safe to fly.

A spokesman said: "The approach the airspace authorities have taken in relation to volcanic ash remains overly restrictive and not justified on safety grounds.

"While we welcome the steps that have been taken since mid-April to moderate the restrictions, it is clear there is too much reliance on the theoretical model of ash spread produced by a single body – the London Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre. Like other European operators, we have no confidence in this model as the basis for deciding closures of European airspace.

"The airline industry has a great deal of experience in dealing safely with the potential risk posed by volcanic ash We believe airlines are best placed to take the final decisions on whether or not it is safe to fly."

Sir Richard Branson, president of Virgin Atlantic, described the closures as "beyond a joke".

He said: "All the test flights by airlines, aircraft and engine manufacturers have shown no evidence that airlines could not continue to fly completely safety.Over a thousand flights took off from France last week in similar conditions to that which exist in Manchester today without encountering any problems or showing any levels of ash concentration."

But Civil Aviation Authority chief Andrew Haines said his officials were simply following the advice of scientists and aircraft engineers.

"We are all working flat out to keep flying safe whilst minimising disruption from the volcano," he said. "We face a massive challenge to do this. Firstly because the standard default procedure for aircraft that encounter ash – to avoid it completely – doesn't work in our congested airspace.

"Secondly, the top scientists tell us we must not simply assume the effects of this volcano will be the same as others elsewhere. Its proximity to the UK, the length of time it is continuously erupting and the weather patterns are all exceptional features.

"The answer can only come, therefore, from aircraft manufacturers establishing what level of ash their products can safely tolerate. This was agreed at an international aviation conference attended by all the leading airline operators."

A Department for Transport spokesman backed Mr Haines's words, saying: "The safety of passengers must be paramount. This new ash cloud contains concentrations of ash which safety regulators and aircraft manufacturers believe could be damaging to aircraft."

With flights grounded until at least 1am this morning, Network Rail pledged to do everything it can to help stranded air passengers make journeys by train.

Services to and from Scotland and to Irish Sea ports will be boosted and engineering work postponed if necessary to allow more services to run.

Passengers should check the National Rail Inquiries website for up-to-date information.